How to Become the Hero in Your Own Life with Derek Loudermilk

Jul 3, 2025

Join Derek Loudermilk, a coach, adventurer, and bestselling author, as he shares his journey from academia to global thought leader. Discover five transformative 'thought reversals' that can help you become the hero in your life, especially during tough transitions. Derek discusses overcoming adversity, the importance of resilience, and how shifting focus from financial worries to personal growth can lead to fulfillment. He also tackles what it means to embrace struggles as part of your own hero’s journey.

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ANECDOTE

Surviving Near-Death Transformation

Derek Loudermilk survived a 20% chance of death from a blood clot with a traumatic brain injury.
After losing his house, career, and marriage, he embraced freedom to rebuild life on his terms.

ADVICE

Claim Your Desired Identity First

Start from who you want to be, claiming your identity to shape your habits and actions.
Acting as that person naturally aligns your thoughts and behaviors toward your goals.

INSIGHT

Money Focus Limits Abundance

Abundance is more than money; it includes relationships, gifts, barter, and creativity.
Focusing only on money keeps you stuck in scarcity, ignoring other avenues to abundance.

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What if you could flip your thinking, let go of old scripts, and start showing up as the hero in your own life, right now?

Derek Loudermilk is a coach, adventurer, podcaster, and bestselling author who helps coaches, healers, and creators become global thought leaders. After leaving behind a PhD program, surviving a life-threatening blood clot, and traveling the world for years, Derek rebuilt his life on his own terms.

In this episode, Derek and I explore five “thought reversals” to help you in your hero journey, especially during times of big transitions or when you’re feeling stuck.

I loved this conversation because it’s packed with practical ways to reframe the stories you tell yourself, and it’s a great reminder that a lot of what holds us back happens in our heads. You’ll hear Derek’s wild backstory, how he rebuilt his identity after losing everything, and what it looks like to live more freely by dropping the old scripts. If you’ve ever felt caught between wanting more adventure and wanting stability, or if you’re curious how to “be lazy” in a way that actually helps you succeed, there’s something here for you.

What old script are you ready to rewrite? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

Tune In To Learn:

Why focusing on money might be keeping you broke

How Derek survived a 20% chance of living and used it to start over

The mindset shift to stop thinking your way out of every problem

How to work from who you want to be (instead of where you’re stuck)

Why dropping your past identity can free you to travel (and live) better

How “lazy” CEOs actually get more done

Why your attention and your questions shape your reality

Practical ways to tap into luck, synchronicity, and abundance

How to balance family, travel, and the pull to put down roots again

Derek’s simple advice for crossing time zones with less stress

And so much more

Resources:

Derek’s website

The Derek Loudermilk Show

Instagram

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